Elevator-door closer and switch



Feb. 23 1926'.

W. W. WEEKS ELEVATOR DOOR CLOSER AND SWITCH Filed oct. 7) 192:

ATTORNEYS Cal Patented Feb. 23, 1926. I

UNITED STATES WILLIAM \VALLACE WEEKS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '10 ELEVATOR SUPPLIES COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELEVATOR-DOOR CLOSER AND SWITCH.

I Application filed October 27, 1923. Serial No. 671,124.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ALLACE Venus, a citizen of the United States, residing at 366 Fourth Street, Brooklyn, New York, have invented a certain-new and useful Improvement in Elevator-Door Closers and Switches, of which the follow ng is a clear, full, and exact description.

The present invention relates to an elevator door closer and switch combined therewith, and more particularly to a pneumatically-operated closer having means and a switch combined therewith in one apparatus to operate as a unit and in which the switch is operated with the opening and closing movements of the door.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a combined pneumatic elevator door closer and switch in which the switch is operated in oil and which is adapted to be opened and closed with the movements of the closer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch in a pneumatically--operated elevator door closer which is adapted to be connected in the controller circuit of an elevator and which is so disposed in the device as to substantially prevent tampering with the switch connections to short circuit the switch or to disconnect it.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of operating means to open a switch in a closer of the form above referred to.

I'Vith these and other objects in view, the invention comprises various features hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichv Fig. 1 is a sectional view in elevation oi a. device embodying the preferred Form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l

7 Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 41 is a cross section taken on the line l'-l of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on a reducedscale taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1. v

In the operation of elevator doors by pneumatic closers, the closer is in general mounted in proximity to the elevator door and is attached by suitabl connec ions 'to' cushioning the toggle leversthereof, by means of which the elevator door is operated. In conneebe readily disconnected sothat it will fail to open the circuit whenthe elevator door is opened. By disconnecting the switch the elevator may be operated more rapidly but the danger to passengers is increased due to the possibility of operating the elevator while the doors are :open, which it is the,

purpose of the switch to overcome.

In the present form of my invention, a

switch is embodied in the pneumatically operated closer in such a manner that it is not accessible to be tampered with and is of a form which may be readily adjusted so as to open and close the elevator controller circuit at predetermined positions in the opening and closing movements of the elevator door, as will be hereinafter fully described. V

In Fig. 1 of thedrawings, 2 designates a casing of the operating cylinder to which is attached anupper head or cap 4: which is attched thereto by suitable connections such as a screw-threaded connection '6, for instance. \Vithin the casing 2 is a pistor 8 having a leather washer 10 attached thereto which may be expanded so as to attain a close sliding connection with the walls of the cylinder by means of a follower or expanding element 12. To the lower portion of the cylinder casing 22' is attached a cushioning means comprising a plunger 14 operating within a plunger cylinder 16. The plunger 14 has attached thereto a plunger rod 18 which passes upwardly through the plunger cylinder and through. openings in the follower, the leather washer and the piston, and through a sleeve 20 which is rigidly attached-to the piston 8, through the head at, and is attached by suitable connec tions to the toggle leversv of the elevator door. "In order that the plunger and the plunger rod may be operated to open and I 4 is a spring member; 22 Which in the 'upward movement of the piston '8 is com-' pressed and'which willserve to return the piston after operation thereof to cause opening of the elevatordoor; Air or other pressure fluid is admittedint'o the cylinder casing 2 below the piston 8 through one or more inlet pipes 24, 26, the, admission of pressure fluid therein being controlled'by a suitable valve or valves.

The lower end of the .cylinder 16 is preferably closed by means of a head 28 which may be connected thereto through screwthreaded connections 30, and which hasattached thereto a lug 32 which may be read ily attached to a bracket or other means for placing the closer in operative position. The cylinder 16 is preferably attached to the cylinder casing 2 by means of a casing 34 which is preferably connected to the cylinder at a mid portion thereof and made integral therewith so as to form a reservoir 36 between the walls of the casing 34 and the cylinder 16. The casing maybe attached to the cylinder casing 2' by suitable means such as screw'threaded connections 38. WVithin the walls of the cylinder 16 are oil passageways'40, 42 connecting the lower and upper portions of the cylinder with an enlarged mid-portion 44 thereof. Within the oil passages are suitable. regulating screws 46, :48 by means of which the passage of oilthrough the passageways may be controlled, so as to control the movements of the plunger 14 within the cylinder 16, by means of which any desired amount of cushioning in the movements of the elevator door maybe attained. The passage of oil from the cylinder 16. and the reservoir 36 into thecylinder casing 2 is prevented by means of a bushing 50 around the plunger rod 18 and by means of a perforated diaphragm 52 which is held in place within a recess in the casing 34. The diaphragm ,52 has a number of perforations or openings 54 therein through which a small amount of oil spray passes and serves to lubricate the cylinder walls 2 and to keep the leather washer soft and ipliable. I

In order to provide a switch in the device which may be connected to the controller circuit of the elevator and which may be operated in oil, I'place. two terminals 56, .58,

which may be attached in: the walls OflIlTG responding casing 34, at the lower end thereof. In order'tosuitably insulate the terminals 56, 58 from the metal casing 34, I provide insulating members 60 around the terminals through which the terminals project into a recess or casing 62, in which the controller circuit leads are connected to the terminals by suitable connecting means such as nuts 66. The leads 64 may be suitably protected by a conduit 68 leading into the casing 62, and a cover member 70 is attached to the casing 62 by set screws, a lock, or other suitable means, whereby tampering with the leads or switch connections may be entirely prevented. A conducting member 72 in the form of an annular segment is provided which may belowered and raised into and out of contact with the switch terminals whereby closing and opening of a circuit therethrough is attained. The conducting member 7 2 is attached to an insulating block 7 4 of similar form to the segment 72, so that it may beraised and lowered within the reservoir 36, and is of such a size as to prevent swinging movement therein. T he insulating member 74 has an upstanding portion 76 having a shoulder or projecting portion .78 by means of which an attaching member may be employed to contact therewith to raise and lower the insulating member 74 and conducting member 72 connected therewith. The means which 1 preferably employ is-a rod passing downwardly through a suitable opening in the diaphragm 52 and which has ahead or support which is adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 78 by-meansof which the parts may be raised out of contacting position with the terminals. Between the head 80 and the insulator 74 is a spring member 82 which is adapt ed to be set in a recess 84 in the insulator T 4 and which may be held in place by means of a projection 86 from the head 80. By means of the spring 82 the conductor 72 may be held in pressure contact with the terminals 56 and 58, and a limited movementof the piston may thus take place, corresponding to a limited movement of the elevator door, before the circuit through the switch terminals is broken.

A release meclianism is employed in order to release the conducting member after it, has been brought up out of contact with the switch terminals. The form of release mechanism which I n-eferably employ (-0111- prises an annular ring member having a circular or annular recess 88 therein, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The annular ring member is preferably made integral with the follower 12. A square connecting rod 90, which is twisted in a portion of its length, passes through a corsquare opening 92 in the diaphragm 52'by means of which the rod is-tur-ned in position when moved upwardly 1 and downwardly by means of the, piston. The rod 90is connected at one end by a slidable spring pressed connection, as has been described, to the insulating member 74, by means of which the conducting member 72 is held in pressure contact with the terminals 56, 58 when the piston is in its lower-most position. Atthe upper end of the rod 90 is a shoulder 91 by means of which a spring member 94: is normally held in compression against the upper portion of the diaphragm 52. The spring 94 serves to hold the .rods and parts attached thereto in raised position after the rod has been pulled upwardly by means ofthe piston to break the circuit through the switch terminals. i

Attached to the upper portion of the rod 90 is a cylindrical rod 98 which may be made integral with the rod 90 if-desired. In the upper portion of the rod 98 or attached thereto, is a pin or laterally projectthe groove or recess 88 to draw the connecting rod 90 and parts attached thereto upwardly with the movements of the piston. lVhen the piston is in its lowermost position corresponding to the closed position of the elevator door, the pin 96 extends in a radial direction in the annular recess 88 so that it bridges the recess and rests upon the projectingshoulders therein. As the piston moves upwardly, the rod 90 is twisted by means of the corresponding opening in the diaphragm 52 and the pin 96 is thereby twisted through an angle of substantially 90, whereby it is released and the piston passes upwardlyleaving the rod and conducting member .72 in raised position. In the upward movement of the piston the rod 90 moves upwardly a predetermined distance, depending upon the distance which the shoulder moves before coming into contact with the shoulder or projection 7 8. During this time the spring- 82 maintains a pressure contact between the conducting member 72 and the terminals 56, After the head 80 attached to the rod comes into contact with the shoulder 78, the conducting member vand parts attached thereto are drawn upwardly until the rod 90 isdisconnected-from the piston by the turning movement, in which the pin as to be re-- .is entirely closed. .ulated by suitably proportioning the length .of the rod 90. Under ordinary conditions wardly to release the rod, as, heretofore explained. In the downward movement of the piston the conducting member 72 comes into contact with the switch terminals 56,

58 at a predetermined point fbeforev the door This point may be reg- I prefer to have the switch in the elevator controller circuit closed when the elevator door approaches within a lialf'inch of its closed position. ever, that the point at which the closer of the switch takes place may be varied to suit the requirements under operating con- .ditions. ing member adapted to cooperate with It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of the device, as will appear. to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as de fined in the claims. 7 f I Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: .7

1. In an elevator door closer, a casing, a pistontherein, meansfor admitting pres-- sure fluid to operate said piston, switch terminals in said casing,.a conducting mem v ber, means for maintaining oil around saidterminals and conducting member, .and means for moving said conducting member into and out of contact with said terminals, whereby a circuit therethrough may be opened and closed.

2. In a power-operated closer, a casing, a piston therein, means for admitting pressure fluid to said casingto' operate said piston, switch terminals vinsaid casing, a conducting member, means for maintaining c'l around said terminals and conducting member, and means for moving said member into and out of contact with said terminals,

whereby a circuit therethrouglr may be opened and closed.

8. A combined elevator door closer-and switch comprising a casing, a piston in said casing, means for admitting pressure fluid to saidcasing to operate said piston, a

switch in said casing adapted to be connected tothe controller circuit of an elevator comprising terminals and a conduct It isto be understood, howing member, means tormaintaining oil in contact with said terminals and vcoi'iducting member, and means for movingsaid conducting member into and out of contact with said terminals during opening and 1 closing movements of the elevator doorto open; and close the controller circuit.

4:. In an elevator Idoor closer, a casing, a

piston in. said casing, means for admitting pressure fluid to said casing to. operate sai (1 piston, a switch in saidicasing adaptedto open and close'the elevator controller circuit, said s'witclrcomprising switch terminals passingthrough said'casing, means for insu'latingthe terminals fromthe casing, a conducting. member within said casing; adapted to be moved into and out-of con; tact with said terminals-duringsopeningand closing.- movements. of said .elenzzitor door,

means for conn'ectingithe' lead-sot said circuit to said terminals exterior to said. ca

ing, a casing around the connections, and means for locking said casing to prevent unauthorized access thereto.

5; A combined elevator door closer and switch comprising a casing,.a p'istondn said casing, means foiwadmitting' pressure fluid to said casing: to :operate saidipiston;switch terminals in said casing, a conducting meina,

ber, means for maintaining a bath ofoil aroundsaid terminals and conductingimei-nber, means for operativcly connecting said conducting member to said. piston, whereb said conducting.:member will. be moved into and out of contact with saidyterniinasls with the movements of said piston, and means for holding said' conducting member in pressure contact with said terminals during contact' therewith.

6. A combined elevator door closer and switchv comprisinga casing-a i piston in said casing, means for admitting:pressure fluid below said piston to causeoperation thereof, spring means-in said casing for returning said piston, switch terminals. in said .casim z a conducting member, means for maintain ingoil around=said= terminals and conducting member, means for operatively connect ing-saidconducting-member to :said piston to move said'conducting. member-out of con tact with said terminals when .saidpiston is operated, and meansior disconnecting; said conducting. member fronrsaid piston when said conducting member has been moved a predetermined distance out of contact withsaid terminals;

i 7. A combined elevator door closer and switch comprising a casing, a piston in. said casing, means for admitting pressure fluid to operate said piston, switch terminals .in said casing,,a conducting member, means for maintaining oil around said terminals and conducting member, means for oper-- atively connectingsaid conducting member to said piston to move said conducting member out of contactwith said terminals, and means 'fordisconnecting said conducting. member from said piston when. the said conducting member. has: been moved a predetermined -distan ce out of contact with said terminals.

8. A combined elevator door .closer and switch comprlsingza cas1ng,a piston-in said to SaK casing means for admitting pressure fluid l casingito operate 'saidrpiston, switch terminals in-sa'id casing, a conducting member, means for maintaining oil around said terminals and conducting member, means for op'eratively connecting said conducting,

member to'said piston whereby said conducting member will be moved into and of, spring means in said casing for i returning said piston'when theJfluid pressure is released, switch terminals in-said casing, a

conducting member, means for maintaining a body of oil in contactvuth said-terminals and coin-lucting member, means for operatively connecting said conducting member to said piston to move saidcondu-cting member out 10f contact with. said terminals,

means for disconnecting. said conducting member froin saidpist-on-when said conducting member has moved a predeterm med distance out of contact' with said terminals,

,means for locking-said connecting means when said piston returns to its initial position, and means for holding said conducting member in pressure-contact with said terminals when said switch is closed;

10. A. combined closer and switch comprising a casing, a piston in said casing, meansfor achnitting'prcssure fluid into said casing to operatersa-id piston, switch terminals in said casing, amovable conducting member in said' casing, means for maintaining a body of oil in contact with said terminals 1 and conducting member, means for operatively: connecting. said conducting member-to-said piston to move said conducting member into and out of contact with said terminals with movements of said piston, and means whereby. said piston may be moved a predetermined amount within said casing before said conducting member is brought out of contact with said termi nals and whereby thecircuit through said terminals is completed at apredetermined point in the return movement of said piston. 11; A combined elevator door closer and .switchucomprisingacasing, a-piston in said casing, means-foradmitting pressure fluid to-operatesaid piston, cushioning means in said-casing. for cushioning the movements of. said piston, :switchterminals in said casing, a'condu'ctingmember, means for mainloo taining a body of oil in contact with said terminals and conducting member, means for operatively connecting said conducting member to said piston to move said conducting member into and out of contact with said terminals with the movements of said piston, and means for disconnecting said conducting member from said piston when said conducting member has been moved a predetermined distance out of contact with said terminals.

12. A combined elevator door closer and switch comprising a casing, a piston in said casing, means for admitting pressure fluid into said casing to operate said piston, switch terminals in said casing, a conducting member, means for maintaining a body of oil in contact with said terminals and said conducting member, means for operatively connecting said conducting member to said piston to move said conducting member into and out of contact with said. term nals with movements of said piston, the last-named means comprising spring means for holding said conducting member in pressure contact with said terminalsduring contact therewith, a connecting rod operatively attached to said conducting member, said connecting rod being twisted at an angle in a portion of its length, a stationary guide for said rod whereby said rod is turned in the upward and downward movement thereof, locking means for said rod adapted to lock said rod to said piston when said piston is lowered, saidlocking means operating to release said connecting rod and parts attached thereto when said piston is moved upwardly a predetermined distance, and means for holding .said conducting member in raised position after said piston has moved upwardly.

Signed at New York, New York, this 25th day of October, 1923. g I

WILLIAM WALLACE \VEEKS. 

